Face Up: Vermont Life

Nuance is a word you’d likely leave out of a conversation about Vermont’s fall foliage. However, that is exactly what should come to mind when looking at Vermont Life’s autumn issue.

The cover captures the bold, contrasting colors you’d expect to see in a Vermont autumn, but it’s an illuminated porch light cutting through morning fog that delivers a subtle, yet relevant subtext that connects the cover story to the image.

Photographer Gary Hall captures landscapes all over the state, and is a frequent contributor to Vermont Life. Art director Susan McClellan says she knew right away that Hall’s image was perfect for the issue.

“It fits both bills,” says McClellan. “It’s a beautiful, inviting and colorful image, and it works with the coverline about young people leaving the state—in that if you’re a parent you leave the light on hoping your kids will come home soon.”

Editor Mary Hegarty Nowlan agrees that the evocative image was a fitting complement to a bold cover story. “From an editorial point-of-view, we knew it was going to be a big story, a controversial story,” she says. “We didn’t want to make it depressing because the idea of leaving is not a popular thing to put on a cover. But this image really touched all of us.”

Nowlan and McClellan suggest that Vermont Life is becoming more contemporary and looking to speak to a younger audience. During the past six years there have been incremental changes made to the logo, typography and an addition of the black-box border. The magazine still aims to offer beautiful imagery, but Nowlan says readers should expect more packages like this one.

DESIGNER’S COMMENTS

“This cover is a collection of several elements that are not in sync. The main cover line has nothing to do with the warm, scenic cover image and the black border traps the image and makes this issue look like a memorial tribute cover.

Since the logo is about the same size as the main coverline, I would have moved the coverline further away from logo and avoided using so many type sizes.

Alternatively, if their approach is to use the image more so as branding for a Vermont lifestyle, take all of the cover lines and run them discreetly on the bottom to allow the image to own the page.

A better choice of color for the logo could have also allowed the team to avoid using an old trick like the soft shadow.“

“Let’s start with a bigger and bolder flag. Not necessarily a sweeping change of typography, but rather more careful use of kerning and set at a larger size. I’d also strongly recommend capitalizing the V and the L. Just by virtue of capitalizing those words the book would project more authority.

I like the dreamy autumn image and I understand why it was chosen. That said, given the sell line “Are Young People Leaving?” I think VL is missing an opportunity to craft a visual that’s a bit brasher, more youthfully exuberant. An energetic, present—hopefully iconic—image of a young adult would accomplish connectivity to the main draw, “Youth Flight.”

Finally, a glance backwards shows that VL covers have traditionally taken more of a coffee table book approach. However, these days it seems VL is tackling some rather heady subject matter. What I find at odds though, is the notion of placing these kinds of coverlines regarding modern day concerns on a visual conceit that harkens back to dreamy bygone days.”

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SourceMedia CEO Doug Manoni has been named chairman of ABM. Manoni, who most recently was vice chair of the business media association, will succeed outgoing chairman Neal Vitale. His term starts immediately.